Foster carers 'should be paid better' claim (From Thurrock Gazette)
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Foster carers 'should be paid better' claim
7:20am Thursday 13th September 2012 in News
A COUNCILLOR is calling for foster carers in Thurrock to be paid more.
James Halden, the Conservatives’ shadow cabinet member for education, said the council needs to “keep pace” with the rates of other authorities nearby, to stop foster carers going elsewhere.
He said: “Most authorities around us pay more for their foster carers, thus it’s right that we look to keep pace with this.
“That’s why I will argue for higher pay in this year’s budget.
“However, we need to offer more help to our foster carers than simply more money – we need to make sure we offer everything they need to have confidence in Thurrock Council so they can foster with us”.
The Homesteads councillor said foster carers were not paid on time several months ago due to a mistake, and wants a scrutiny group to be set up to investigate it.
He added: “We need to provide confidence to those who do such a vital job.
“We need to make sure these mistakes can’t happen again and to ensure we promote the highest standards in this council.”
